The 6 Best Microphones for Smule (and How to Connect them) (2026)

If you want the best possible audio recording quality on Smule, the popular karaoke app, you need a good microphone. Luckily, there are many suitable options on the market.

My top pick is the Shure SM58. This popular dynamic mic comes from a powerhouse microphone company.

My budget pick is the IK Multimedia iRig Voice. This Android/iOS-compatible, handheld microphone is available at a great price.

There are two options for connecting/using a microphone for Smule:

• Get a good microphone (options below) and use a device such as the IK Multimedia iRig Pre HD to allow you to connect this to your phone.
• OR you can get a quality mic like the Shure MV51 that plugs directly into your phone!

Dynamic microphones work better if you’re going to have a lot of background noise or the acoustics of your room are not very good.

Condenser microphones, on the other hand, are much more sensitive. They record with great quality, but you need to be in a quiet house and a room that’s not very echoey.

(The iRig Pre HD even supports condenser mics. Just hit the “phantom power” switch on the side of the device, and you are good to go!).

The 6 Best Microphones for Smule

1. Shure SM58

Top Pick - Very popular dynamic microphone with excellent, quality sound.

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2. IK Multimedia iRig Voice

Budget Pick - Affordable, handheld microphone for Android and iOS devices.

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3. Rode NT1-A

Pro Pick - Full-packaged condenser mic, great sound quality.

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4. Audio-Technica AT2020

Budget-friendly, highly popular condenser microphone for various settings.

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5. Sennheiser E835

Standard and light dynamic microphone.

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6. IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2

USB/iOS microphone, excellent for Smule.

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Let’s compare these in more detail.

1. Shure SM58

Top Pick

Very popular dynamic microphone with excellent, quality sound.

View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

When you think about a microphone, chances are there is an image in your head that looks a lot like SM58. Shure’s model is one of the most used models in the world and for a good reason as well.

This is a dynamic vocal microphone, which allows for recording and emitting of both singing and speech as well. It comes with integrated wind and breath filters which combined with a hard metal grill do their job nicely.

This cardioid mic isolates the main sound source, effectively diminishing background noise, and is a great all-around microphone that will cover all of your needs. With a frequency response of 50Hz-15kHz, 94dB SPL rating, and 150-ohm impedance, it’s a natural top choice.

2. IK Multimedia iRig Voice

Budget Pick

Affordable, handheld microphone for Android and iOS devices.

View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

The IK Multimedia iRig Voice is a handheld condenser mic compatible with Android (phone, tablet) and iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac) devices. It’s perfect for using with Smule to enjoy karaoke sessions.

This cardioid microphone is very affordable and easy to connect with its wide compatibility. With the EZ Voice app, you can process, record, and share your vocals. Paired with the FX suite, enjoy 9 vocal effects like auto-tune, compression, EQ, reverb, chorus, delay, and more.

Given the price, this lightweight mic is a great choice if you’re planning karaoke night!

3. Rode NT1-A

Pro Pick

Full-packaged condenser mic, great sound quality.

View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

Rode is a well-known name in the microphone world so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list. The NT1-A is a great condenser mic that comes with everything you might need. It has a large recording head, meaning you’ll catch every sound you want.

The great thing is that it comes with a shock absorber and a pop filter. This means that you’ll be able to set it up for the best recording straight out of the box. Note that you’ll need to get a phantom power supply of 48v to use this mic.

See our video review about Rode NT1-A below:

This large-diaphragm condenser microphone is a top choice for quality vocals and a full frequency range (20Hz-20kHz). It handles high-SPL well and includes the full recording and singing package.

4. Audio-Technica AT2020

Popular, Budget-friendly

Budget-friendly, highly popular condenser microphone for various settings.

View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

You might have seen the Audio Technica AT2020 in studios or home setups. This popular condenser microphone offers great quality sound at an attractive price. Its appealing specs and modest price tag make it a strong choice.

Paired with the IK iRig Pre HD, this mic is perfect for karaoke. With its cardioid polar pattern, full-spectrum frequency response (20Hz-20kHz), stunning max SPL rating of 144dB, and 100-ohm impedance, the AT2020 will amaze you.

You’ll need a 48V phantom power source for it to work. Other than that, connecting it to your device should be straightforward.

5. Sennheiser E835

Well-rounded

Standard and light dynamic microphone.

View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

The Sennheiser E835 is another dynamic microphone from a well-known manufacturer. The E835 is an iconic mic that is well-known and loved around the world. This is the standard microphone that’s used for vocal and percussion recordings. It’s light and easy to use, as it doesn’t need any additional power.

This mic has great specs, including a 40Hz-16kHz frequency response, 150dB SPL handling, and 350-ohm impedance. It’s powerful and versatile for various uses.

It features a built-in shockmount to handle noise and excels at keeping vocals steady, regardless of position, isolating the sound source well. If you want consistent, quality vocal performance, the E835 won’t disappoint.

6. IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2

Purpose-made

USB/iOS microphone, excellent for Smule.

View Price at Amazon

The IK Multimedia iRig Mic HD 2 stands out for karaoke use thanks to its USB/iOS compatibility. It includes an integrated preamplifier to balance vocals and comes with all essential accessories.

This cardioid condenser mic features a 20-20 frequency range and handles SPL up to 125dB. It’s incredibly lightweight and has an LED display for status and level, perfect for karaoke settings. It’s a good choice among karaoke microphones.

Many factors boost this mic’s popularity for karaoke. The integrated windshield, headphone output, included accessories, and good specs make it worth considering.

What is Smule?

Smule is a popular karaoke app available for both iOS and Android. You can sing with friends, record yourself, and share videos for the community to rate and enjoy.

Choose from thousands of songs from various eras and regions, adjust your voice with filters, and apply effects to get the sound you want.

The importance of using a pop-filter

If you’ve ever recorded something, you have noticed that on certain letters you can hear a pop when you say them in the microphone. This is a well-known effect of plosives – sounds that create a popping sound when being recorded straight into the microphone.

This is the consequence of the air coming at really high speeds from your mouth when you say certain sounds. This high-speed air hits the microphone and creates that popping sound everybody hates.

People often use pop filters—those circular meshes in front of microphones you’ve probably seen. They’re very affordable, and if you don’t want to spend extra money, you can find great tutorials online to make your own.

Also, check out my article on microphone stands if you need one.

Use this setup with other apps

After setting up your recording equipment, you can use it for more than just Smule. This applies to any device, whether it’s your phone, computer, or studio gear. Always remember, this equipment is easy to use and versatile. Experiment with it and see what results you get.

Conclusion

I hope this article helped you find the best microphone for Smule. While many use these mics for karaoke, you’re not limited to the Smule app. Feel free to use the microphone in different settings, experiment, and enjoy!

My top recommended karaoke mic is the Shure SM58, an extremely popular dynamic mic from a well-known manufacturer.

I’d recommend the IK Multimedia iRig Voice. This Android/iOS-compatible, handheld microphone offers great value for its price.